Helm Khuraburi - Talk me into/out of this watch
So, I put my name on the list a long time ago and I got the email today saying "hey, get ready, we're going to sell you a watch, if you want one."
When I put my name on the wait list I was being more adventurous with trying new watches. Today I have a Mido Oceanstar and an ORIS Heritage 65. Arguably, both better dive watches than the Helm (they should be based on price alone) and do I need another dive watch? If I do buy it, it's relatively low risk financially. I should be able to sell it for what I paid for it as long as I don't beat it up. I have a couple of days before the order window properly opens, so I ask, should I buy this watch?
So talk me into it (points for);
Best quality for price possible in the microbrand market.
Overbuilt/super durable
That lume!!!!
Unique design
FOMO; if I pass on this chance, it will be years before getting another
Double dome sapphire crystals are awesome
NH35 movements are work horses at an incredible pricepoint
Show me a better watch for $310US. Heck, show me a better watch for $500US
Talk me out of this watch (points against);
There's nothing subtle or elegant about this watch, it's so far away from sophisticated...
NH35 is an old, unexciting movement
16mm thick. Is it taller than it is wide?
If I own a MIDO Ocean Star and an ORIS Heritage 65, will I ever reach for a second tier dive watch?
The crown is obnoxious, as is the rest of the watch.
40 hour power reserves are not longer good enough
I have enough watches.
Only question is will you enjoy wearing it. If yes then get it. Worst case, flip it later.
Do consider comfort though. If you're okay with the size and weight then great. I do love big watches but I look for titanium so that they aren't too heavy. And I love for a flat back panel rather than raised.
It looks amazing. Buy it! 😁
Say no and let others on the waiting list move forward. You obviously don't need it anymore.
Say no and let others on the waiting list move forward. You obviously don't need it anymore.
Spoken like someone on the waiting list... 😉 For what it's worth, I'm not a flipper. If I decide it's not for me I'll sell it at my cost. If it wear it, I'll probably sell it for slightly less.
Only question is will you enjoy wearing it. If yes then get it. Worst case, flip it later.
Do consider comfort though. If you're okay with the size and weight then great. I do love big watches but I look for titanium so that they aren't too heavy. And I love for a flat back panel rather than raised.
There's lots of watches I would enjoy wearing that I don't own. Do I need to own all of them? Do I need to own this one? I have big wrists. 7 3/4". I'm not concerned about the size, though 16mm thick would make it the thickest watch I've owned, and one thing I like about the ORIS and MIDO is how thin they both are...
Spoken like someone on the waiting list... 😉 For what it's worth, I'm not a flipper. If I decide it's not for me I'll sell it at my cost. If it wear it, I'll probably sell it for slightly less.
Was it that obvious....😂😂😂
I am , but waiting on the Vanuatu 😁
If you can afford it, get it. Maybe it will reignite the old flame from back then when you first enlisted. 🤞🍻
Was it that obvious....😂😂😂
I am , but waiting on the Vanuatu 😁
If you can afford it, get it. Maybe it will reignite the old flame from back then when you first enlisted. 🤞🍻
I did recently pass on a Vanuatu. I struggled with that one as well, and maybe passing was a mistake? All of which has made this decision even more difficult.
It gets worse; because of how the wait lists have worked, and when I signed up, it's likely my number for a Komodo will be up next month. Do I need 2 Helms?
It looks like a heavy beast, you’ll probably find it will turn out to be uncomfortable to wear for more than a day or so. I have a big Android diver which comes in at circa 295 grams and I can only do it for a day……..
It looks like a heavy beast, you’ll probably find it will turn out to be uncomfortable to wear for more than a day or so. I have a big Android diver which comes in at circa 295 grams and I can only do it for a day……..
Good point. I wonder about that. 16mm thick. Very little bracelet taper and a monster clasp. 221 grams. That's a lot of watch. My Mido on bracelet is 174 grams. Though to an extent, the weight can be nice? It feels....substantial? 295 grams is a whole other level of bulk.
Watches better than the Helm under 500:
Glycine Combat Sub under 400 :
SW-200, Sapphire, Swiss made.
King Samurai:
King Turtle:
Islander Calabro World Timer GMT
Mido Multifort
Citizen Fugu
Good point. I wonder about that. 16mm thick. Very little bracelet taper and a monster clasp. 221 grams. That's a lot of watch. My Mido on bracelet is 174 grams. Though to an extent, the weight can be nice? It feels....substantial? 295 grams is a whole other level of bulk.
It sure is I have 8.0” + wrists and I feel it!!😂
It’s a monster
Watches better than the Helm under 500:
Glycine Combat Sub under 400 :
SW-200, Sapphire, Swiss made.
King Samurai:
King Turtle:
Islander Calabro World Timer GMT
Mido Multifort
Citizen Fugu
Glycine is solid. It would have to be one with the standard hands, the Mercedes (and Mercedes adjacent) hands bother me. I've owned half a dozen Glycines over the years. The last one was defective and left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.
Does scarcity add value though? I could buy a Seiko anytime... I know it shouldn't add value to the watch itself, but having your name called when there's a 3 to 5 year wait list makes you feel pretty special, especially when it's not attached to a significant cost premium. But maybe it shouldn't.
I can't do an Islander. Great watch. Hate the logo. It's all I would see.
I’m on waiting list for this watch but now I’m not sure. I’ve seen conflicting reviews and for a USA micro brand to have the watch completely made in Asia is disappointing.
I'd get it. Even if you wear it a few times and don't like it you can likely flip it for more than you paid for it.
For a straight up tool watch, you'd be hard pressed to get more bang for your buck. If ISO specs matter, YMMV.
I have a bias of course, been loving Helm's stuff since '16. IMO, Helm along with others helped to pioneer the microbrand scene. Even though they are made overseas, when the owner originally started, the watch world looked drastically different.
Havent had a problem with any of mine (have a Vanuatu, Komodo and Miyako), so not experienced anything negative? 🤷🏻
And the Vanuatu survived a 6-8 foot fall onto concrete when a springbar failed on me. More luck and the hardiness of the Seiko mvmnt, than anything else TBH, but still survived.
Talk you out of it ? Ok
It's a tacky microbrand that no one outside the hobby has heard of, with all the negative connotations - ie will they still be around in a few years? Will you get fed up with the lack of cashé /kudos/prestige? Subjective but it fugly, huge & lacks any subtlety or refinement.
Mainly it won't get much wrist time as there's far,far better already in your watch box.
However, if it rocks your world because it's exclusive, individual and esoteric and decent specs for the money then go for it 😁👍🏻
Ha! Well, as it stands now, there's over 8000 people on the waiting list for the Komodo. That amounts to about 5 years worth of sales of the one model, and over $2million in watches at the current price so I think they will be around in a few years. Their other models have similar wait times and devotion. But how many of those on the waitlist are like me, considering passing when their chance arrives, or their taste has drifted in the year and a bit since they signed up? Regardless, I don't think they are going anywhere any time soon.
Yeah, tacky. I see that. It's on of my cons; "There's nothing subtle or elegant about this watch, it's so far away from sophisticated..." But it also doesn't claim to be anything more than a tool watch. And aren't we all tired of Rolex clones?
FOMO is the biggest driver, and maybe not a good one. The opportunity to buy one is rare. But maybe that's not enough to make it a smart purchase.
Ha! Well, as it stands now, there's over 8000 people on the waiting list for the Komodo. That amounts to about 5 years worth of sales of the one model, and over $2million in watches at the current price so I think they will be around in a few years. Their other models have similar wait times and devotion. But how many of those on the waitlist are like me, considering passing when their chance arrives, or their taste has drifted in the year and a bit since they signed up? Regardless, I don't think they are going anywhere any time soon.
Yeah, tacky. I see that. It's on of my cons; "There's nothing subtle or elegant about this watch, it's so far away from sophisticated..." But it also doesn't claim to be anything more than a tool watch. And aren't we all tired of Rolex clones?
FOMO is the biggest driver, and maybe not a good one. The opportunity to buy one is rare. But maybe that's not enough to make it a smart purchase.
From your reply I'd say go for it , it's a cool watch . I was just playing Devil's Advocate. 😉👍🏻
I just received this go ahead.
Buy the damn thing lol
Buy it. I like their canvas bands for a change of pace on my Miyako. Best of luck.
Don't do it. This looks like a clunky version of my favourite Omega Planet Ocean. Get that instead.
I’ve got the titanium vanuatu and it’s an awesome watch. I’d pull the trigger 😊
"Buy it." "Buy the damn thing." "Don't do it." Getting some mixed signals, but even the "don't do it" comment was followed up with a "buy this instead". I think I've come to the wrong place to be talked out of buying a watch....
I think it's going to come down to a coin toss.
I’ve got the titanium vanuatu and it’s an awesome watch. I’d pull the trigger 😊
I wish they offered that bracelet on the Khuraburi as stock. They offer a $10 discount when purchasing a watch but it's still an extra $50 and I don't need 2 dedicated bracelets. Regardless, I think the watch buying addicts on this forum have convinced me I should just buy it....
I could be wrong but if I was selling watches I would make it seem that what you're getting is rare and you could lose it. Sorta like what girls did to me when I was younger. If they held back and resisted then they were more desirable. The reason why we buy watches are all different. Recently I bought a cheap Timex Indiglo because when I wake up in the middle of the night I want to know the time. Since you like diver's watches then this might be what you like. The good thing is you're taking your time and not rushing. If you do that then you'll do fine.
Coming back to this.. if you want something big and tough. G shock steel has some great options. But often they have carbon in the middle so they aren't super heavy.
Coming back to this.. if you want something big and tough. G shock steel has some great options. But often they have carbon in the middle so they aren't super heavy.
Well, I bought the Helm. I don't particularly want big and tough, though I'm a fan of tough. The 16mm of thickness does give me pause, with 7 3/4" wrists I've been enjoying 42mm watches lately. And I have a couple of Casio 5600s, a true beater (working in the shop) and a "good" beater (riding bikes and hiking) (As watch collectors we can rationalize anything, right?)
There are very few watches that have a near guarantee on their resale value, Helm is one of them. It was pretty low risk to order it to see how I feel about it in person, and I wouldn't have another chance to do so for, what, 3 years? I'll have it in a couple of weeks. If I don't like it, Reddit will likely help me find a new home for it in short order.
Well, I bought the Helm. I don't particularly want big and tough, though I'm a fan of tough. The 16mm of thickness does give me pause, with 7 3/4" wrists I've been enjoying 42mm watches lately. And I have a couple of Casio 5600s, a true beater (working in the shop) and a "good" beater (riding bikes and hiking) (As watch collectors we can rationalize anything, right?)
There are very few watches that have a near guarantee on their resale value, Helm is one of them. It was pretty low risk to order it to see how I feel about it in person, and I wouldn't have another chance to do so for, what, 3 years? I'll have it in a couple of weeks. If I don't like it, Reddit will likely help me find a new home for it in short order.
You might like the g shock gbd200. I think it's the most comfy. And great screen etc.
Well, I bought the Helm. I don't particularly want big and tough, though I'm a fan of tough. The 16mm of thickness does give me pause, with 7 3/4" wrists I've been enjoying 42mm watches lately. And I have a couple of Casio 5600s, a true beater (working in the shop) and a "good" beater (riding bikes and hiking) (As watch collectors we can rationalize anything, right?)
There are very few watches that have a near guarantee on their resale value, Helm is one of them. It was pretty low risk to order it to see how I feel about it in person, and I wouldn't have another chance to do so for, what, 3 years? I'll have it in a couple of weeks. If I don't like it, Reddit will likely help me find a new home for it in short order.
i Recently got the chance to buy the Khuraburi. Im still deciding on it! I have a Miyako which i find very versatile. The Khuraburi I would buy with the engineer bracelet, maybe getting the black with an extra blue/orange bezel. What did you think of yours? For me, it looks like a perfect tool watch with that high legibility and bezel design.
I sold it. And as a reflection of the state of the industry right now, I took a small loss on it.
I should say it was a well made watch. It owed me nothing. It was more than advertised. Fit and finish were better than the price tag and if you like this style of watch, you're getting a helluva deal on a watch.
But it was a bit too brash and ostentatious for my taste. It lacked.... elegance. I really wanted to like it, but I didn't. It's not a bad watch, it was one of the best value watches I've ever held. It just wasn't for me.
I'm getting used to buying watches and selling them not long after getting them. I'm getting pickier over time and the Helm just didn't pass my standards for what I want right now. I've never liked a watch so much that I, ummm, didn't like? I know that makes no sense. But it's true. Great watch. I didn't like it.